In vivo efficacy and properties of semisolid formulations containing panthenol

Background: Panthenol is an active substance used in dermatology to protect the health of the skin, to treat defects in the morphology of the stratum corneum. In cosmetology, hydrating, softening, and barrier function of panthenol are utilized. Detailed studies evaluating the efficacy of panthenol in cosmetic and pharmaceutical semisolid formulations and establishing its optimum concentration are needed. Objectives: To investigate whether an addition of 5-13 wt% panthenol in o/w and w/o emulsions increases hydration and supports the barrier properties of the skin. Rheological properties and sensory analysis of prepared formulations are supplemented. Methods: Noninvasive instrumental methods in vivo were used. The hydration and barrier effect of semisolid formulations on the skin were observed for 48 hour; testing was conducted on 40 women. The effect was compared with formulations without any content of panthenol. The rheological and organoleptic properties of the formulations were evaluated. Results: After applying either form of the formulations containing 7-11 wt% of panthenol hydration of the skin increased, transepidermal water loss decreased. pH of the skin shifted toward neutral after application of tested formulations. The rheological properties of the formulations were influenced by the type of vehicle, the amount of panthenol, and temperature. Sensory evaluation of both semisolid forms revealed statistically significant differences in o/w formulations with regard to spreadability. Conclusions: The presence of panthenol in an o/w and w/o semisolid formulations significantly enhances skin barrier repair and hydration of the stratum corneum. Better vehicle for the active substance as regards hydration proved o/w formulations. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Omega Pharma (Ltd. Czech Republic

Synthesis, Characterization, and Electrochemistry of Nanotubular Polypyrrole and Polypyrrole-Derived Carbon Nanotubes

Polypyrrole nanotubes (PPy-NTs) were prepared by the oxidation of pyrrole with iron(III) chloride in the presence of a structure-guiding agent, methyl orange. Upon carbonization of the salt form of PPy-NTs, the conducting nitrogen-containing nanotubular carbonaceous material (C-PPy-NT) was obtained. The morphology, structure, and physicochemical properties of PPy-NTs in salt and base form as well as C-PPy-NTs were investigated by transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectroscopies, conductivity measurements, elemental microanalysis, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and nitrogen physisorption. Results of the material characterization were linked to their electrochemical behavior. Specific capacitance of around 120 F g(-1) at low potential sweep rate of 5 mV s(-1) was observed for original PPy-NTs. However, when the potential sweep rate was increased to 100 mV s(-1), PPy-NT salt retained the value of specific capacitance, while the capacitance of PPy-NT base decreased by 70%. Upon carbonization of PPy-NT salt, the specific capacitance was doubled and capacitance fade measured in the interval 5-100 mV s(-1) was determined to be around 45%. It is proposed that the absolute value of specific capacitance is determined by specific surface area and surface functional groups, while the capacitance fade is determined by the conductivity of the electrode material. In this manner, a linear relationship between the percent of capacitance fade and the logarithm of the conductivity was revealed. C-PPy-NTs were also tested as an electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline media. High ORR activity was observed, characterized by the onset potential of -0.1 V versus saturated calomel electrode and the apparent number of electrons consumed per oxygen molecule higher than 3. Appreciable ORR activity can be linked with a high fraction of mesopores and the presence of surface functional groups, especially pyridinic and pyrrolic nitrogens, and also with a high degree of structural disorder